Cookies

We want you to get the most out of using this website, which is why we and our partners use cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to receive these cookies. You can find out more about how we use cookies here.

Carlisle Utd players give goal hero Rory Loy standing ovation

Comeback king Rory Loy got a standing ovation from his Carlisle United team-mates after ending his year of injury misery with the winner at Tranmere.

Rory Loy

The Scottish striker’s first goal since 2011 earned the Blues a 1-0 victory against the League One leaders.

And Loy, who missed 13 months of first-team action after a broken leg, was the most popular player in the dressing-room after his feat at Prenton Park.

“We all gave Rory a round of applause in the dressing room and it’s something he thoroughly deserves,” said keeper Mark Gillespie. “It’s been a tough time for him but it shows his character and quality to come back and get a winning goal against the team who are top of the league.

“We’re all absolutely buzzing for him.”

Manager Greg Abbott said the 44th-minute goal was Loy’s reward after coming through a year of “hell” after his horror injury at Preston on December 26, 2011.

His previous goal was against Wycombe on December 17 that year, before the 24-year-old marked only his second start of the campaign with the decisive goal against 10-man Tranmere.

It sealed United’s first away victory of 2013 and took the Blues up a place to 16th, with the gap between Abbott’s side and the bottom four now 10 points.

Tranmere’s manager Ronnie Moore was raging at his own striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, who was sent off for kicking Frank Simek eight minutes before Loy’s goal.

But Abbott was happier to salute his own matchwinner and the other players who earned United’s impressive triumph, including the recalled Paul Thirlwell.

The United boss added: “It was a game for Rory, because we needed some pace up the top to put Tranmere’s players under pressure.

“We got that from him, along with his goal.

“Playing Rory might have surprised Tranmere a little bit there, along with Paul’s inclusion, and I thought he was absolutely outstanding as well.

“Brad [Potts] is having a period where we thought he needed a breather, and you could see by the pitch that it was going to be blood and thunder, a game for experienced heads.

“It was the perfect time for Paul to come in.

“In terms of our work-rate and carrying out our game plan we were outstanding and the better side won.”

Akpa Akpro’s dismissal was slammed by Moore, as it forced the leaders to play for 54 minutes with 10 men.

Have your say

Really pleased for Rory. Let's hope he can get a goal at home on Saturday, so all the home fans can show their appreciation to him and give him the applause and support he deserves.It's been a long road to recovery and i'm really pleased for him.

Posted by dave on
5 February 2013 at 21:27

i think some thanks should be going to dolly for getting him on his way to fitness.